However, I do not know how to use buddy lists, buy armor, and a bunch of stuff I've been hearing.

HOOK ME UP WITH THE 411

Buddy list works the same as any IM, you get people's screen names (or they get yours), you add them, then if they accept they'll show on the list and you can see when they're online and if they're in a game room.

When you're on one of the servers down at the bottom you'll see an Avatar button, if you click that it takes you to the shop where you can buy stuff, all of it has different abilities.

We tend to play against each other on a server where most of the attributes aren't in use anyway so I wouldn't worry about it just yet.